Members of the Florida congressional delegation are fulfilling a promise, taking time to focus on improving services for Americas veterans.
Sunshine State Republican Congressman Gus Bilirakis, the vice chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, teamed up with Democratic Congressmen Tim Walz on two proposals --one to improve services for veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI), the other to crack down on those who unlawfully charge veterans who apply for disability benefits.
The Veterans' Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitative Services' Improvements Act of 2011 introduced by Bilirakis and Walz in the House, and Republican John Boozman of Arkansas and Democrat Mark Begich of Alaska in the Senate, would expand current Department of VA regulations which currently restrict TBI care to simple physical restoration. The proposed bill would expand those regulations to ensure that veterans suffering with TBI would be eligible for mental-health care and long-term quality of life care. More than 1,500 veterans of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from severe TBI.
"Our wounded warriors have made tremendous sacrifices in order to keep this country safe, and it is our responsibility to help them wherever we have the ability to do so," said Bilirakis. "With nearly 2 million veterans calling Florida home, I often hear about the need for legislation to ensure they receive the care they deserve. Providing our veterans and service members with the proper care is the least we can do to repay them for their service."
"Our wounded warriors deserve the best care and support we can give them," said Walz, who has put in almost two and a half decades with the National Guard. "When a veteran suffering from TBI comes to the VA for treatment, they need to be presented with a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation that will allow them to recover function, achieve independence and fully integrate back into their communities. This bill ensures we provide comprehensive care instead of just physical rehabilitation, which is what is presently available to our injured veterans."
Bilirakis and Walz also teamed up to increase penalties for individuals and organizations that unlawfully charge veterans for disability services and benefits, making such activities a misdemeanor.
"The law clearly states that people cannot charge veterans for filing benefits claims with the Veterans Affairs Department, but unfortunately some fly-by-night groups have discovered there are no repercussions for this unconscionable act," said Bilirakis on Thursday.
"When our warriors apply for VA benefits, they should not have to worry about being scammed by groups trying to profit off their sacrifice and service," added Walz. "While charging a veteran to file their claim is already illegal, this legislation would make it a misdemeanor. I believe those who attempt to take advantage of our veterans deserve harsh penalties and I look forward to working with my good friend, Representative Bilirakis, to get this bill enacted into law."
Bilirakis was not the only member of the Florida congressional delegation to focus on veterans affairs Thursday.
Florida Republican Congressman Tom Rooney, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and a veteran of the Army who taught at West Point, went to bat on Thursday for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and drug abuse by proposingamendments to be tacked onto the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2012 fiscal year.
While weve made tremendous progress in improving mental-health services for our troops and veterans, the high rates of suicide and invisible wounds like PTSD are clear evidence that we must do more to help those who serve our country, Rooney said Thursday. By expanding research and exploring cutting-edge treatments and technologies, we can help ensure that our troops and veterans get the care they need.
Rooneys amendments would increase assistance to veterans battling substance abuse and would increase research on how virtual reality technology can be used in the fight against PTSD.
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Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
